Now I'm interested in how you would shoulder the .44 GS to a .41 - is there enough there for a neck?

HC on page 321 of the manual of cartridge conversion there is the .41 Jurras. it is a 1.298 long necked down cut down 30-06 case. it does in fact have a neck. its what I have in mind but longer to fit in the ak mag.

on page 286 there is the .375/38-40 another cut down 06 shell it is 1.125 long
on pg 282 there is the .375 shanon same thing but 1.315 long
I think all that it would take to make this is the correct set of custom dies.
some of these would fill the same void that your 9x39 would

The .416's would be a little pricey to just go plinking with for me. $1+ a pop just for the bullet.

I haven't found a tapered expander for this. I was going to turn one on the lathe, but just don't have the time right now. I think that RCBS all uses the same thread so if one was made it might be able to be used between the 444 and 44mag die which ever one would work the best. I was going to get a 444 die, but Midway is out.

I have a metal .223 single stack on the way to see if it might be useable. In an AR mag the round just noses into the front of the mag and the last round just pops right out. Maybe someday there will be an AK 450BM magazine.

For the .375, can the std 7.62x39 be necked up? No fuss with mags and bolt face opening.

I still think the best magazine will be a straight no-taper design. Curious to see how that 223 mag will work.

I don't think the x39 can be necked up to accomodate a .375 without using an expander die. I neced up to .358 and it is basically a straight-walled cartridge like that. Nothing to headspace from, either. So if you did, and had to ream it, you'd be getting the brass pretty thin I think.

For the .375, can the std 7.62x39 be necked up? No fuss with mags and bolt face opening.

No 7.62x39 not big enough DIA

I still think the best magazine will be a straight no-taper design. Curious to see how that 223 mag will work.

I have been thinking that a straight single stack mag made from tubing or bent in a break would be very doable. the round is very straight.
To be honest I think if one were to make there own mags then they might as well make the round slightly longer and forget about the AR mag length. One of the great advantages of the AK is the mag well can easly be enlarged. this sort of brings me back to my original 444 rimless marlin idea. I want something that still allows use of a standard reciver and gives good finger clearance in the trigger guard. If a 223 mag can be done easily then I will want to do one in that length as well. I do have a AR reciver sitting here that I am not sure what to do with. a AR & AK in 44???? would be cool.
I wonder if a reamer maker would cut us a deal on several reamers on a group buy?? or get one reamer and have one guy do several barrels. the head space issues are still a concern in 44 to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The .416's would be a little pricey to just go plinking with for me. $1+ a pop just for the bullet.

UH yea just started looking at that. Yikes found some for around 75 cents each (speer) also saw some at over $4.00 each(trophy bonded sledghamer solid 25 for $135)
cast lead would be doable for plinking . the .410 pistol bullets are cheaper but kind of defeats the whole idea of using rifle bullets.
the .375 still looks very doable and might be the best round all of them. the price is better, selection is good, better MV and lighter recoil. and better optimazation of limited powder capacity.
to many caliburs to little time!!

Was looking at the .41 JMP automag that you posted. That little shoulder didn't sound like much, so I drew the top of the case out and it is more than what I thought. RCBS makes a die set, forming die, taper expanding die, trim die, and neck reaming die.

If you really wanted something big you could use the 400gr .410's for the 450-400 Nitro Express.

A thought - the .375 or even the .41 Mag bullets need a neck, right? OK.

Take this one step further, and open up the .06 cartridge at the neck BEFORE you cut it. Presto, you have a neck for your .375 or 41 Ragnarok and you could probably use .06 headspace gauges.

Yeah, I know it kind of takes away from the original .44 idea, but since you're thinking about varations I figure that couldn't hurt. You could still use .06 mags like a BAR mag, or possibly 8mm mags like the MG-15 mag.